External evaluation of Saving Mothers Giving Life. Final report.

Saving Mothers Giving Life (SMGL) is a $200 million initiative that seeks to reduce maternal mortality through a public-private partnership between the governments of the United States Norway Uganda and Zambia Merck for Mothers Every Mother Counts the American College of Gynecology and Obstetrics and Project CURE. The first phase (2012-2013) focused on eight rural districts in Uganda and Zambia. The SMGL initiative encompasses a wide scope of activities that fall into four categories: generating demand improving access improving quality and health systems strengthening. These range from mobilizing community health workers to providing incentive kits for mothers who deliver in health facilities to training providers in obstetric and newborn care to equipping and upgrading facilities. This independent external implementation evaluation was commissioned by the SMGL Leadership Council and carried out by researchers at Columbia University and New York University. We assessed the reach extent fidelity and dynamic effects of SMGL in order to identify best practices and remaining barriers to reducing maternal mortality in Uganda and Zambia and to inform future efforts of SMGL. We also examined the functioning of the SMGL partnership and engagement of various stakeholders. This report covers SMGL’s Phase 1 the first 12-18 months of SMGL implementation. A separate internal evaluation done by the CDC and USAID will assess care utilization and mortality reduction. (Excerpts)